A338 road closures start this weekend

Drivers in and around Bournemouth are being reminded about major roadworks starting in the area this weekend.

Dorset County Council will start rebuilding the A338 Bournemouth Spur Road, between Ashley Heath and Blackwater, on Monday 7 September – with the dual carriageway down to one lane in each direction from 6am Monday.

Councillor Peter Finney, Dorset County Council Cabinet member for environment, said: “We know that the first day, and even the first few weeks, will be the most difficult while drivers find their new routine.

“The best way to ensure you get to your destination on time is to think carefully about the time you’re travelling, the route you’re taking or changing your mode of transport. At the very least, you should allow plenty of extra time for your journey.”

Preparation work has been underway since January to get as much done as possible before construction. This work will intensify over the next two weeks as areas previously inaccessible due to traffic can now be worked in.

The first two weeks of work will focus on removing any remaining trees obstructing the work, and installing traffic management, speed cameras and CCTV. The site compound will also be prepared with a new access road built for it.

The northbound carriageway will be closed from 8pm Sunday 6 September until 6am Monday 7 September. The southbound carriageway will be closed from 8pm Monday 7 September until 6am Tuesday 8 September.

Between 8 September and 12 September there will be overnight closures of the northbound carriageway from 8pm to 6am for resurfacing work north of the Blackwater junction.

Cllr Finney continued: “The compound will become an intrinsic part of the operation – where all the material will be recycled onsite and prepared for reuse – and the stretch of resurfacing we’re doing is also essential to ensure the smooth running of the contraflow – helping the failing road to last a few more months more before we rebuild it.”

The northbound carriageway will also be closed overnight on 18 and 19 September from 8pm to 6am and a full road closure will be in place on 20 September 8pm to 6am to change the traffic management layout. From Monday 21 September the contraflow will be in place on the northbound carriageway.